Despite strong recommendations that all sexually active young women age 25 and younger receive a screening test every year for chlamydia, many do not. And, according to a recent study, there are differences in screening patterns across age, race/ethnicity, and insurance status. Black young women were 2.7 times as likely and Hispanic women were 9.7 times as likely to be screened for the disease as their white counterparts, with the rates being 65%, 72% and 45%, respectively. The lead author of the study suggests that the providers’ perceptions of race and ethnicity (and the perceived differences of chlamydia risk) may play a role in screening for chlamydia and account for these unequal screening rates.

The study also reports differences in screening rates across insurance type. Women with public and public pending insurance had greater odds of chlamydia testing, compared with women with private insurance. The consequences of untreated chlamydia infection include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and pregnancy complications; thus, something must be done to improve the screening rates for eligible women, regardless of race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Agriculture Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of the 7th edition of 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans at a press event held at George Washington University. The Dietary Guidelines come at critical juncture in America’s history since more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the country are overweight or obese.

The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are based off of sound scientific information and evidence on proper dietary habits that promote health, reduce the risk for chronic disease and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. Through the 29 recommendations, The Dietary Guidelines advise individuals and families on how to achieve an overall healthy eating pattern.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans fall under two over arching concepts: maintaining calorie balance over time to achieve and sustain a healthy weight and focusing on consuming nutrient-dense foods and beverages. Twenty three Key Recommendations are for the general population and six additional Key Recommendations are meant for specific population groups.

The Dietary Guidelines also aid policymakers, education and health professionals, and health educators with designing and implementing nutrition-related programs. A table with important consumer behavior and strategies for implementing the Dietary Guidelines can be found in the appendix.

By adopting the Dietary Guidelines, HHS and USDA believe Americans will be able to live healthier lives strengthening America’s long-term economic competitiveness and overall productivity. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines is available at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

Today, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius released a report highlighting the health insurance premium and out-of-pocket savings families and businesses can receive under the “Affordable Care Act” in 2014. Between 1999-2009 premiums more than doubled by rising over $7,500 for families that get their health insurance through an employer.

The report outlines several of the provisions the “Affordable Care Act” has and will implement. Provisions already in progress include new resources for states to improve their review of proposed health insurance premium rate increases and the eligibility for small businesses to receive tax credits that covers up to 35 percent of insurance costs of their employees.

The provisions for families that will be implemented disclose the importance of State-based Health Insurance Exchanges to middle-class families and tax credits that reduce cost sharing. Small businesses will also experience significant cost savings. By 2014, small businesses on average could save up to $350 per family policy and will be eligible for tax credits up to 50 percent of premiums. All businesses will likely see lower premiums of $2,000 per family by 2019.

Partnership for Prevention’s new Leading by Example The Value of Worksite Health Promotion to Small and Medium Sized Employers publication provides real examples of successful worksite health promotion programs for small to medium sized employers. The employers highlighted in this publication have taken the initiative to reduce health care costs by increasing the health of their employees. The publication can be downloaded at http://prevent.org/Initiatives/Leading-by-Example.aspx.